Which Poicephalus is right for me?

[CoffeeKatt]

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice on which bird would be best for my situation. I live in a large house where I'm home for most of the day and have been trying to figure out which bird would make the best companion. I've read a few books and I think Poicephalus birds are the best fit. They're not too big, not too loud (I know all parrots are noisy but just not as loud as say a big macaw) and intelligent.

I've been spending time at the local bird store and my favorites are the Meyer's, Senegals, Red Bellies, and Lesser Jardine's.

Talking isn't important to me, what i'm looking for most is companionability.

Thanks!

[Boman]

We went through that whole "Which poi?" stage as well. There are going to be a TON of Senegals available as most people with pois own this breed. I'm guessing that they were imported on a larger scale from Africa years ago. Anyways, we wanted a RB due to the fact that they don't tend to "clam" up when visitors are over and have playful personalities. I contacted a breeder in Ontario and she mentioned that her RB's we're breeding at the time and asked if I were interested in the BrownHeaded poi. I researched and couldn't find too much info other than they're very calm and pretty much made of "velcro." We agreed and Joey (BH) has been AWESOME! We've had him for about 9-10 months now and have no issues other than him wanting to be with us all the time, which is physically impossible lol. He's very cute, extremely had tame and is quick to learn.

http://www.soltiaaviary.ca/success-stor ... rown-head-

That's him there.

[Grey_Moon]

If you're new to birds in general I'd recommend the brownhead as well.

They're unusually sweet and calm for a bird. Really gentle too. Unlike most species this bird is reported to have that sort of temperament across the board.

Like most of the poi's (and greys) these guys can be shy however. So its important to socialize them well. The other poi's have a reptutation for stronger fear reactions and occaisionally biting stages.

[CoffeeKatt]

Thanks everyone! I'll definitely look into the brown headed parrots. They seem very similar to the meyer's parrots. Are there any big differences between the two?

[Boman]

That's a good question! I don't really know the difference between the two as I never researched the Meyers. Maybe somebody with more experience with them could help

[Arshia]

Senegals would be very friendly though. I know of many that are cuddle bugs
I would also imagine them to be the most accessible. And just imo, brown headed parrots are ugly =P But that's strictly a matter of opinion. But if you were going off look, you should get the Red bellied

I hear they all have similar, mellow, amicable temperaments, so I don't think you can go wrong with going off look. Correct me if I'm wrong though, I'm no poicephalus expert.

[cml]

While not a poi, I would also like to reccommend you to look at pionuses, or specifically the white-crowned pionus and the bronze winged pionus. Both are known, as are all pionuses, to be great companion parrots. They are sweet natured, dont generally scream at all, are fairly quiet, and very intelligent!

They are also smaller in size than the blue headed pionus, placing them to be slightly bigger than a poi. Our BWP is about 26cm or 10.25inches whereas the meyers are about 21cm or 8.25inches as a size comparison.

[CoffeeKatt]

Thanks for telling me about the pionuses. I took a trip to the bird store this week and while the other birds were screaming away the group of white capped pionuses just sat there quietly looking around. I guess this is typical of them?

While not a poi, I would also like to reccommend you to look at pionuses, or specifically the white-crowned pionus and the bronze winged pionus. Both are known, as are all pionuses, to be great companion parrots. They are sweet natured, dont generally scream at all, are fairly quiet, and very intelligent!

They are also smaller in size than the blue headed pionus, placing them to be slightly bigger than a poi. Our BWP is about 26cm or 10.25inches whereas the meyers are about 21cm or 8.25inches as a size comparison.

[cml]

Thanks for telling me about the pionuses. I took a trip to the bird store this week and while the other birds were screaming away the group of white capped pionuses just sat there quietly looking around. I guess this is typical of them?

While not a poi, I would also like to reccommend you to look at pionuses, or specifically the white-crowned pionus and the bronze winged pionus. Both are known, as are all pionuses, to be great companion parrots. They are sweet natured, dont generally scream at all, are fairly quiet, and very intelligent!

They are also smaller in size than the blue headed pionus, placing them to be slightly bigger than a poi. Our BWP is about 26cm or 10.25inches whereas the meyers are about 21cm or 8.25inches as a size comparison.

Pretty much, at least for Leroy. He's generally quiet unless agitated or spooked!